COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN!!

Our favorite elf, Brendon, made a guest appearance at Serendip on December 4, and handed out candy canes to the passersby.

But now, one might say the Elves have Left the Building; because now it's time for all good elves to be back at the North Pole putting in overtime!!

I don't know about you, but I need to put in some overtime with Christmas preparations... so guess where I've been shopping? At THE MARKET AT SERENDIP!

We have some wonderful, unique gift ideas. Christmas ornaments, including paper designs that look like spun glass, handpainted baubles, pottery shapes, wood cardinals and festive snowflakes, and underwater scenes complete with sand.

We offer a terrific array of ladies accessories; handcrafted bags, totes, scarves, mittens, and jewelry ranging from the fun and funky to the elegant and shimmery.

For men, you ask? We still have survival bracelets in stock, as well as handcrafted pens and bottle stoppers. Fabulous stoneware jars and sculptured wood are options that work for the most discriminating art-lover.

Handcrafted greeting cards include very special holiday designs, and we also offer stationary sets, bookmarks, journals, and embellished memo books.

And don't forget the art! We offer original art that includes vibrant florals, elegant watercolors, mixed media collages, plus photographs of Paris, Ohio, beneath the Caribbean, and so many other locations. We have pencil drawings and gorgeous oil paintings, children's art and pen and ink creations.

Baby and children's accessories, handmade dog collars, scented candles, silk flower arrangements; we have something for everyone!

So don't panic-- the elves might be stressing, but you'll find unique gifts, extended hours, and a friendly atmosphere to make gift buying easy at Serendip!!

SMALL BUSINESSES=UNIQUE GIFTS, AND GREAT FOR THE ECONOMY!

Scrambling for an unusual gift for someone? Dreaming of watching a friend open a package with that absolute WOW look on their face? Bored with giving the same tired mass-produced ornaments, decor, jewelry, and accessories?

Serendip has wonderful one-of-a-kind options for you... everything original and handmade, by artists that live right around the corner from you.

... and if I may jump onto my soapbox for a moment, I would encourage you to visit your locally-owned small businesses. In a struggling economy, it's important to save gas and your valuable time.

Shopping locally does that. And it does a lot more!

Shopping locally-owned, small businesses is not only a great way to buy wonderful, unique items, but it also helps your community.

When you patronize local shops, restaurants, galleries, and businesses, you're helping to maintain a community's character. Everyone loves having a business district that's attractive and welcoming... but if there aren't any small shops, cafes, or galleries-- what does the community look like? Why would people want to visit or live in that community? if you don't shop in those small businesses, how do they stay in place?

Local business owners invest their hopes, dreams, and often, their life savings, in their businesses. We have a profound stake in the community and its health, so we work hard for the community we're in, serving on committees and boards, working for the good of the community and its business.

For a concise explanation of what I'm trying to convey, you'll want to read about the 3/50 Project.

The 3/50 Project addresses the following:
3 Think about which three independently owned businesses you’d miss most if they were gone. Stop in and say hello. Pick up a little something that will make someone smile. Your contribution is what keeps those businesses around.
50 If just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.* Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of the employed population did that.
68 For every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.
1 The number of people it takes to start the trend...you! Make a difference. Shop Local.

Want more information on the 3/50 Project? Check it out at http://www.the350project.net.

MORE HOLIDAY FUN IN POWELL!

Santa arrives in Powell tomorrow! We'll help the city celebrate as the Serendip elf passes out candy canes, while we offer our unique selection of handmade gifts and original art.

We will also offer two FABULOUS prize drawings through the generosity of It's My Party, Whimsical Wire, and Pink Moon Cupcakes. First is a Princess Party Giveaway that includes an It's My Party custom party hat, Pink Moon gift certificate, and lots of other party necessities-- $150 value!

We'll also draw for a Girls Night Out Gift, with an adult It's My Party hat, a boa, wine gifts by Whimsical Wire-- just what you need for the perfect girls night out! Shop at Serendip and fill out an entry for the prize drawings.

Make sure you don't leave Powell before you stop by Serendip to shop, enjoy a cup of wassail or hot chocolate, and fill out an entry for the prize drawings.

Serendip will be open till 6:00 on Saturday, 12/4. Check out http://www.cityofpowell.us/event-holiday-tree.php for the schedule of holiday events from the city.

Also, remember The City and the Powell Police Department are collecting new toys for this year's Toys for Tots Campaign. New, unwrapped toys can be brought to the Toys for Tots collection boxes at the Police Department and Municipal Building (47 Hall St.) during business hours. Toys will be collected through Dec. 10.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE GOODIES!

Our Holiday Open House takes place over Thanksgiving weekend. Serendip offers you a shopping escape from the crazy big-chain venues by offering refreshments, wonderful original art and handcrafted gift ideas, and exceptional customer service!

Here's a rundown of what's in store for you:

Friday, 11/26; 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy wassail, hot chocolate, and holiday treats
Daryl Roche demonstrates wire sculpture jewelry in the afternoon
Barb Crockett accents the day with flute music
Specials:
**Ann Houser...10% Off
**Elizabeth White jewelry and suncatchers... 10% off
**Rindesu Jewelry... 25% off
**Larry Payne Images of France... 20% off
**Fifi Papers: 15% off 3 or more sets of custom notecards; 15% off Christmas notecards
**Celtic Naturals soaps: buy 3, get one free
**Laura Neal Designs... 20% off
**Lea Ann O’Brien Dog Collars and Aprons... 10% off
**Chopstix... 15% off

Saturday, 11/27; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Enjoy wassail, hot chocolate, and holiday treats
Barb Crockett accents the day with flute music
Specials:
**Ann Houser...10% Off
**Elizabeth White jewelry and suncatchers... 10% off
**Rindesu Jewelry... 25% off
**Larry Payne Images of France... 20% off
**Fifi Papers: 15% off 3 or more sets of custom notecards; 15% off Christmas notecards
**Celtic Naturals soaps: buy 3, get one free
**Laura Neal Designs... 20% off
**Lea Ann O’Brien Dog Collars and Aprons... 10% off
**Chopstix... 15% off

Sunday, 11/2; 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Enjoy wassail, hot chocolate, and holiday treats
Lori Sudler designs alphabet photo collages
Specials:
**Ann Houser...10% Off
**Elizabeth White jewelry and suncatchers... 10% off
**Rindesu Jewelry... 25% off
**Larry Payne Images of France... 20% off
**Fifi Papers: 15% off 3 or more sets of custom notecards; 15% off Christmas notecards
**Celtic Naturals soaps: buy 3, get one free
**Laura Neal Designs... 20% off
**Lea Ann O’Brien Dog Collars and Aprons... 10% off
**Chopstix... 15% off

YOU SAY YOU CAN'T BEAR TO SHOP ON BLACK FRIDAY?

Yeah, I'm with you. Who enjoys trolling a parking lot for 30 minutes looking for a place to park? How fun is it to fight the crowds in the aisles, and then wait in line forEVER to pay for your purchases? Why would you want to spend Thanksgiving weekend doing all that?

May I suggest a delightful alternative: Downtown Powell's Annual Holiday Open House, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visit Powell's unique boutiques, galleries, gift and antique shops! You'll find refreshments and smiles, one-of-a-kind gifts, music and joy, some special sales and prizes-- and best of all, you'll discover the joy of shopping with personal service and a relaxed atmosphere.

You're going to love Serendip more than ever this weekend! We're pulling out all the stops to make our Open House Weekend a great one! We'll be serving up wassail and music, snacks and sales, and on Friday, Daryl Roche will demonstrate his wire jewelry techniques. We have stocked up on extra-special art and handcrafted treasures by our 50+ artists, and we promise a pleasant, relaxing, friendly shopping weekend!

Many of our fellow downtown merchants will also be offering Open House Weekend festivities. After you've come to Serendip, you may want to visit a few others.

A Certain Charm lives up to their name with charming home accents, consignment clothing, and gorgeous accessories, plus their pick-a-discount basket.

Judy at Remembrances will guide you to distinctive gifts and collectibles to compliment the traditional, country and victorian home-- and offers a discount coupon for the Open House Weekend.

Marilyn's Paris Flea Market will add homemade open house treats to their collection of upscale vintage furnishings. A quick stop into Jeni's Ice Cream and then it's on to the Candle Lab-- both are complete sensory treats.

Glorious florals and spectacular home decor will tempt you into Patina Interiors/Petals and Leaves. Shyne offers women's and kid's accessories and offers some terrific Open House specials and prizes!

Pop into Kimberly's Diamond Corner for dazzling glitters; a few steps takes you to LP Designs, showing off everything from leather bowls to contemporary birdhouses to elf shoes!

Now that you've shopped a bit, you'll be ready for a specially-priced Peppermint Hot Chocolate or a Gingerbread Chai and a snack at Espresso Yourself Music Cafe.

So, you see, holiday shopping doesn't have to be a horror. Come discover downtown Powell, and visit Serendip and let us pamper you with treats and great service!

LOOKING FOR A LITTLE NOSTALGIA?

Vintage-inspired goodies can really change up your style!!

Vintage Vamp/Teresa Morbitzer has brought in more of her beautiful jewelry, incorporating vintage elements with contemporary. Glitzy rings, stunning necklaces, bracelets, and earrings-- not TOTALLY your mother's jewelry, but reminiscent of it!

Holly Tripp offers a selection of nostalgic altered paper tags, cards, and journals. You'll also love her ornaments, paperweights, and other goodies!

And we have Lea Ann's terrific retro and vintage inspired aprons--perfect for gifts or yourself-- in patterns perfect for everyday, entertaining, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!!

ORIGINALITY IS THE BEST GIFT OF ALL

When you're buying gifts, why settle for the usual mall offerings? Giving an original, one-of-a-kind gift will mean so much to the recipient...

We have so many options in store for you; I hardly know where to begin. How about a quick sample of art for the home?

Glenn Seabloom once introduced his stoneware jars as "glorified cookie jars", but they are truly works of art in fantastic shapes and glorious glazes-- and certainly not just for the kitchen!

Kneisley Underwater's photographs take you into a world most of us never see-- glowing fish, waving coral, colors that are almost unworldly. Offerings of these photos include matted prints, framed works, and even Christmas ornaments!

Elizabeth White makes glimmering, shimmering suncatchers to hang in windows, using beads and big faceted crystals. The rainbows they cast on walls and floors are a great cold-weather pick-me-up!

You'll find so many wonderful, unique options at Serendip-- stop in and take a look, and come back often, as the offerings change frequently!!